It's official, Charter Schools allowed to pop up in state.

It's also the first day of Spring, which means hang in there allergy sufferers.

It's official....Charter Schools will be springing up in Alabama, get it! Governor Bentley signed the bill into law yesterday. Several Superintendents across the state oppose the bill. Charter schools would all be publicly funded and have more flexibility than traditional public schools. Especially when it comes to hiring and curriculum. It is that autonomy that Huntsville Superintendent Casey Wardynski says makes for an uneven playing field. The bill allows only 10 charters schools per year in the state. The schools can be built from the ground up or be a converted public school.

Today, we're waiting to hear what comes out of a conference call set to happen between Huntsville city schools, the Department of Justice and the federal judge presiding over the case. Muriel Bailey will break down where everything stands at 5:00 & 6:00 this morning.

An error with paper work allowed a man sentenced to 15 years in prison to walk out. Michael Prater was transferred to Lauderdale County jail from state prison to be sentenced for an escape charge. While there, the Alabama Department of Corrections forwarded paperwork notifying the jail Prater was to be released on probation, so they did. If you have any information on where Prater is, you're asked to call the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department immediately. Prater should be considered dangerous.

Closing arguments are expected to start in the Joyce Garrard trial. She's the Etowah County woman accused of killing her 9 year-old granddaughter by forcing her to run non-stop as punishment for lying. Testimony wrapped up Wednesday with Garrard taking the stand and denying that she was responsible for the girl's death.

Arguments will start at 8:30 this morning. Look out for updates online @ waff.com.

Looking for something to do this weekend. The last two home games of the year for the Huntsville Havoc are this weekend. Yes, I know they've had a rough year but they want to end on a good note. They're hosting the Fayetteville Fireantz tonight and tomorrow at the VBC.

Alright, let's get to the weekend but first I gotta get through the show, see in a few!!!